Hi guys!

I've been looking into this game, and now that Golem Arcana has bitten the dust (RIP), I need something new to scratch my tactical itch. My main question is: If I want to play with, say, my brother in law, do I need to buy 2 core sets or is 1 enough for both of us?

Question 2: What expansions do you guys think are the most mandatory?

Thanks in advance!

1 Core set is fine if you guys don't mind sharing tools. All the expansions come with different cards then the core set, including the ships that come in the core set. It really is a game that will benefit from at least one of every set.

If you don't want to sink that much cash into the start of the game I suggest you start with Wave 1 ships and go from there. So a Gladiator Star Destroyer, Assault Frigate MkII, and both Imperial and Rebel fighter packs. That will give you enough for 300 pt games and a good feel for where the game is going.

Find a local club and borrow all their stuff Best way in.

(otherwise single core isnt enough for a decent game. But with a couple of expansions it works)

1 Core set is fine if you guys don't mind sharing tools. All the expansions come with different cards then the core set, including the ships that come in the core set. It really is a game that will benefit from at least one of every set.

If you don't want to sink that much cash into the start of the game I suggest you start with Wave 1 ships and go from there. So a Gladiator Star Destroyer, Assault Frigate MkII, and both Imperial and Rebel fighter packs. That will give you enough for 300 pt games and a good feel for where the game is going.

thank you! I've read everywhere that buying 2 core sets might be necessary for having a second "damage deck". What do you make of this?

Plus, I've seen that you can buy dices and maneuver tools separately now....

1 Core set is fine if you guys don't mind sharing tools. All the expansions come with different cards then the core set, including the ships that come in the core set. It really is a game that will benefit from at least one of every set.

If you don't want to sink that much cash into the start of the game I suggest you start with Wave 1 ships and go from there. So a Gladiator Star Destroyer, Assault Frigate MkII, and both Imperial and Rebel fighter packs. That will give you enough for 300 pt games and a good feel for where the game is going.

thank you! I've read everywhere that buying 2 core sets might be necessary for having a second "damage deck". What do you make of this?

Plus, I've seen that you can buy dices and maneuver tools separately now....

A second damage deck is unnecessary, unless you are extremely unorganized and lose cards very easily.

Edit: You will want to buy the dice pack as well, but the maneuver tool pack is also unnecessary.

Damage taken on your ships is represented with a deck of cards, or damage deck. Generally these are dealt face down and are all the same. Under certain conditions, you may deal a critical to your opponent, which is represented by a face up card from the damage deck. Each card has a special effect on its face (slow down the damaged ship, deal extra damage, reduce maneuverability, etc). There are a certain number of each card in the deck, so it will technically make a difference if you're both drawing from the same deck. In practical terms, though, you can pretty easily get by for quite a while with just one shared deck.

Two core sets aren't necessary if you are just playing each other. If you end up going down the rabbit hole and branch out to play other people, then you'll each want your own core set. if you really want two damage decks, there is always eBay.

ONE CORE SET.

Repeat after me:

How many Victories do you end up getting? 2

How many do you need? 0.

Expansions:

Go with what you find appealing, but..

Imo, Assault Frigates and Gladiator are strong buys.

1 ISD 1 Home One also will serve you well.

Raider is really gimmicky.

Extra Cr90s and nebs only if you want them. Buy the expos.

You only need a second damage deck for competitive organized play (and even then I've had opponents show up at local tournaments expecting to share my deck), everything else you can get from sharing one core box and expansions. The Rebel CR90 & Nebulon B have great upgrade cards, much better than just getting extras from a second core set.

Alright! It seems 1 core set is all I need, which is kind of relieving for my wallet. I'll check for a 2nd damage deck on e-bay, but it's good to know it's not mandatory.

Can't wait to go buy this on wednesday!

It's a good experience. If you're playing casually just go ahead and start grabbing ships in equal size categories (MC80 for the Rebellion, ISD for the Empre, Gladiator Star Destroyer for the Empire, MC30 for the Rebels, etx) to have a more or less balanced play experience. You don't have to go out of your way to collect extras or multiples of ships if you wish to play casually and proxy cards. Really the only thing you need from the other expansions are the ships and fighters themselves to push around on the table.

I think you figured out what to buy, but here's some advice from someone who probably bought way, way too many ships:

Just buy the ships you like. Armada is wonderful in that you can make just about anything work. For example, the Worlds winner last year had a grand total of ZERO upgrade cards! But beware, once you start down the prack (plasti-crack) path, forever will it dominate your destiny...

Damage decks on eBay range from $6-12.

Everyone is going to have a different take on which ships to buy. Buy only one core.

Here is my 2 cents.

Don't get the MC80 or ISD to start. Play the game and see if you like it first. These ships will be a nice enervation into the game later after 25 plays or so.

Gets two extra sets of dice

Get 3 movement tools in addition to the core one. Set them as follows: 2 only two speed, 1x 3 speed, and 1 x4 speed

Core

Black table cloth Walmart $10

Assualt frigate

VSD

Glad

Nebulion B

Corvette

2 imperial squadrons

2 rebel squadrons

4x acyrlic range rulers from litko or corsec engineering (2x squadrons range and 2 firing)

--------next if you like the game

4x6' mat with a 3x6 playing surface from playmatseu (these are the best period. They stay flat when you unroll them and have great thickness and feel) http://www.playmats.eu/x-wing-armada/107-armada-2.html. Pick flat black

2x rogues and Villians

1x mC30

1x Raider

Maybe more dice

Sleeves and ultra pro holders

Organizing binders etc

Maybe more movement tools ( one more 3 and one more 4) because sharing sucks

2x Laser from warlord miniatures http://www.warlordgames.com/new-targetlock-laser-line/

------next after 25 plays and you are hooked

2x ISDs

2xMC80s

+1/2 corvettes

+1/2 Glads

+1/2 raiders

+1/2 mc30

+2 imperial and renal squadron packs

Custom holder for cards

------

Star Wars Fat head on wall next to play area. Wait for the frequent %50 off sale.

I think you figured out what to buy, but here's some advice from someone who probably bought way, way too many ships:

Just buy the ships you like. Armada is wonderful in that you can make just about anything work. For example, the Worlds winner last year had a grand total of ZERO upgrade cards! But beware, once you start down the prack (plasti-crack) path, forever will it dominate your destiny...

yeah I know I'll have to be careful. I'm a "I feel incomplete unless I own everything" kind of guy. Good thing my wallet permits it, but I know it's a bad habit.

Admiral Nelson trying to Bankrupt a new kid there.

One core is absolutely enough. I started only a month ago myself, and please do yourself the favor of one dice pack (that suffices) and one additional ruler (set at 2).

Else, I really recommend MC80, ISD and each Fighter pack. Why? Because they're the coolest ships on the table I have two fleets now, because I don't have a local group to play with and need to provide material for both parties.

another option is to buy someone out on ebay. i usually see someone selling their collections for $200 or so on line, and it generally includes more expansions than you could buy for the same $. This is a better option if you have played the game somewhere and are ready to dive in.

I've found that, since they're pre-painted, armada ships hold their resale value a lot better than other minis. I pretty much built the core of all my 40k armies off of dudes he got bored and were trying to offload... I guess it's a good thing I haven't been able to with Armada.

One core is absolutely enough. I started only a month ago myself, and please do yourself the favor of one dice pack (that suffices) and one additional ruler (set at 2).

Else, I really recommend MC80, ISD and each Fighter pack. Why? Because they're the coolest ships on the table I have two fleets now, because I don't have a local group to play with and need to provide material for both parties.

yeah, I'm the miniatures provider of the family xD

My brother-in-law is my usual game partner and my brother joins in occasionnaly as well. Thx for the suggestions!

1 Core

1 Assault Frigate

1 Gladiator

--

If you liked the game, then buy:

1 Home one

1 ISD

1 Shrimp

---

Then other stuff as needed.

At this point you're addicted and you might as well add in the cost of an addiction counselor.

I jumped in with 2 core set's when I started. If you shop online you can find a good deal on them. 2 core sets gives you an 2 Nebs, 2 CR90's, 2 Victory class and a large number of squadrons. It gives you the feel of a larger fleet action at not to bad of a price. (I think I paid $130 for both sets when I got them)

In theory there are some cards you won't get because you're not buying the individual expansions. In practice you can buy the cards you want individually on ebay or elsewhere online.

When my friend and I got into Armada, it was because I bought a core set, we played, and then he went away and bought a core set for himself. You can definitely have great games with just the one, and I've made sure to collect enough ships so that I can play a great game with whoever wants to have a go. What you hope is that they get the bug and end up collecting for themselves, but you want to be able to use the set even if they don't.

I would say that AdmiralNelson's suggestion is excessive. For our first games, I bought squadron packs for both factions and we had a blast. If you want a bigger game, then an Assault Frigate and a Gladiator will serve as a great and not too costly expansion. You'll be absolutely fine with just the one range ruler and movement tool - there's no point in buying four for a game you're testing out. And for casual games, just re-roll a dice if you're short - buy the pack if you want to get serious.

A good place to start is local clubs. I left it ages before I got involved, and regret it in hindsight - hours of fun missed! At my local store, X-wing is the most popular game, so the Armada players are delighted when you come down and happy to lend you ships and equipment if needed.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

I agree the initial buy seems excessive as mention above; however, if he waits for a sale, then the loss on the trial is minimal. You buy over $100/125 at the places mentioned below and you get free shipping

Every three to four months there is an across the board sale. Being so many months after the last wave release, companies are going to start unloading their Armada stuff for the prices I have seen below probably soon. The big Memorial Day sales are coming soon.

Core $50 there are frequent sales in Cardhaus or coolstuff for $50

Black table cloth Walmart $10

Assualt frigate $20 again wait for a sale.

VSD $20

Glad $18

Nebulion B $14

Corvette $10

2 imperial squadrons $14x2 =28

2 rebel squadrons $28

4x acyrlic range rulers from litko or corsec engineering (2x squadrons range and 2 firing) 8x4 +$6 S&H

= $226

*****Save all boxes which will help the resale and help insure no damage comes to them in transit. That will give the buyer a lot of confidence.

Sell on eBay at an auction starting at 200 +$20 shipping (the value will hold because you waited for a sale. The buyer won't be calculating a sale price and will think he/she is getting a good deal)

Fees and shipping lost are $40

So trying a great starting package would cost you $68 and some time if things don't work out.

At least this way you will know if you like the game because you will have tried some of the depth to the game. Different squadrons and ships. Play it 4-8 times to get the rules down and time down and you'll know. The length of the game is often the factor beginners dislike because your first game with that joke of a rule book will take you time. Don't give up until you really, really know the rules. This game can be played in 2 hours and you have to have faith that with some work you'll get there. I personally don't mind long game(hell, global A&A takes 17 hours), but many people have short attention spans. People use to X-wing often have the most difficult time making the transition because they are use to a wam bam thank you mam approach and sometimes don't approach the slow burn. The cost of two miniature games is sometimes another reason, either coupled with the one reason mentioned in the previous sentence or by itself.

You can decide if waiting is worth the sale price and also if you'll willing to try the full experience and risk losing $68.

Watching a video of the game being played might also help you decide which route to go.

Edited: I forgot at least one extra movement tools and dice pack. Get at least one extra pack and one range ruler to set at just sped two. Having at least one short ruler will speed up the game because you often have to move things to get the 4 speed tool in tight crowded spaces.

By the way, the corsec engineering 1 squadrons range tool is a godsend for speeding up play. Somethings it is difficult to get a full ruler in to measure if a squdron is engaged or within close range of a ship.

So 226+$5+5 = 236. (I got all my movement tools on sale for $2.99 so you might to. I've only seen that sale once, but since I haven't looked in a long time owning many already maybe there have been some) Again, a sale will come.

[...]

= $226

*****Save all boxes which will help the resale and help insure no damage comes to them in transit. That will give the buyer a lot of confidence.

Sell on eBay at an auction starting at 200 +$20 shipping (the value will hold because you waited for a sale. The buyer won't be calculating a sale price and will think he/she is getting a good deal)

Fees and shipping lost are $40

So trying a great starting package would cost you $68 and some time if things don't work out.

It seems a bizarre approach to buy absolutely everything, with the back up of selling it on if you don't like it. Getting that money back is no guarantee, and is a serious pain to go through. You could just buy less to begin with, and be left with a game that didn't grab you, but can still be pulled out for a play if the fancy takes you.

I'm not sure your maths adds up, but, using your prices (which, to be honest, I think are optimistic even for sales), why not simply buy a core ($50) plus two squadron packs ($28)? That's $78 compared to $226! Even if you decide, having had experience of similar games, you're confident you'll want to play again and so buy an Assault Frigate and VSD, that's still only $118, literally half the price of what you quoted when you added manoeuvre tools.

Besides which, the spare manoeuvring tools and range rulers are handy, but definitely not essential. I play with just the ones from the core and rarely feel in desperate need of something more.

Point is, you can have fun with just a core, and don't need much more to have a game that's comparable to the full experience. Who spends hundreds of dollars on something to try it out? I personally would rather have "lost" $78 and still have the game, than lose $68 and have nothing to show for it but a lot of time wasted.